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Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers in Iowa
Considering working as a Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers in Iowa? Here’s what you need to know. Operate or tend washing or dry-cleaning machines to wash or dry-clean industrial or household articles, such as cloth garments, suede, leather, furs, blankets, draperies, linens, rugs, and carpets. Includes spotters and dyers of these articles.
What do Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers Make in Iowa?
For a laundry and dry-cleaning workers working in Iowa, the median annual wage is $32,250 per year (or roughly $15.51/hour).Pay can range from $27,080 at the 10th percentile to $38,410 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $27,080 | $13.02 |
| 25th percentile | $29,200 | $14.04 |
| Median (50th) | $32,250 | $15.51 |
| 75th percentile | $35,740 | $17.18 |
| 90th percentile | $38,410 | $18.46 |
The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in Iowa nationwide is 1.07.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, laundry and dry-cleaning workers earn a median of $66,423 per year ($31.93/hour), lower than the Iowa median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 858,171 laundry and dry-cleaning workers across the United States. In Iowa alone, about 2,120 people work in this role. That’s below the typical state, which employs around 2,470 laundry and dry-cleaning workers.
Top Iowa Metros for Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers
These are the Iowa metros with the most laundry and dry-cleaning workers in Iowa.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | 490 | $33,320 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 270 | $31,400 |
| Iowa City, IA | 140 | $35,740 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | 140 | $30,950 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 130 | $31,440 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | 120 | $29,290 |
| Dubuque, IA | 70 | $32,680 |
| Ames, IA | 60 | $33,690 |
Top States for Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers Employment
View the states that employ the most laundry and dry-cleaning workers work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 22,630 |
| Texas | 16,250 |
| Florida | 13,940 |
| New York | 13,270 |
| Illinois | 7,830 |
| Ohio | 6,670 |
| Pennsylvania | 6,000 |
| Michigan | 5,700 |
| Tennessee | 5,650 |
| North Carolina | 5,530 |
| New Jersey | 5,490 |
| Virginia | 4,900 |
| Georgia | 4,880 |
| Nevada | 4,180 |
| Indiana | 4,070 |
| Missouri | 4,030 |
| Arizona | 3,900 |
| Maryland | 3,890 |
| Washington | 3,680 |
| Massachusetts | 3,680 |
Highest-Paying States for Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers
These states pay the most for laundry and dry-cleaning workers.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $39,220 |
| North Dakota | $37,710 |
| Oregon | $37,190 |
| District of Columbia | $37,070 |
| Vermont | $37,030 |
| Maine | $36,840 |
| California | $36,740 |
| Montana | $36,640 |
| Minnesota | $36,560 |
| Massachusetts | $36,310 |
Skills
Top laundry and dry-cleaning workers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Top abilities for laundry and dry-cleaning workers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers typically:
- Load articles into washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to perform loading.
- Start washers, dry cleaners, driers, or extractors, and turn valves or levers to regulate machine processes and the volume of soap, detergent, water, bleach, starch, and other additives.
- Operate extractors and driers, or direct their operation.
- Remove items from washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to do so.
- Sort and count articles removed from dryers, and fold, wrap, or hang them.
- Clean machine filters, and lubricate equipment.
- Examine and sort into lots articles to be cleaned, according to color, fabric, dirt content, and cleaning technique required.
- Receive and mark articles for laundry or dry cleaning with identifying code numbers or names, using hand or machine markers.
- Apply bleaching powders to spots and spray them with steam to remove stains from fabrics that do not respond to other cleaning solvents.
- Determine spotting procedures and proper solvents, based on fabric and stain types.
- Spray steam, water, or air over spots to flush out chemicals, dry material, raise naps, or brighten colors.
- Pre-soak, sterilize, scrub, spot-clean, and dry contaminated or stained articles, using neutralizer solutions and portable machines.
Work Activities
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Controlling Machines and Processes
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Training and Teaching Others
- Getting Information
Tools & Technology
Technologies frequently used: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel
Related Careers
Careers similar to laundry and dry-cleaning workers include:
- Dishwashers
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners
- Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners
- Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials
- Sewing Machine Operators
- Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders
Also Known As
Assorter, Bag Hanger, Bag Washer, Benzene Washer, Benzene Worker, Blanket Washer, Box Storage Worker, Bundle Breaker, Buttoner, Carpet Cleaner, Carpet Renovator, Classifier, Cleaner, Cleaner and Dyer, Cleaner and Presser.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 51-6011.00